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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Antique Red and White Quilt Block Tutorial

This is the red and white antique quilt that I showed you around Christmas. My Grandmother made this quilt. She was born in 1890 and died in 1923 so this quilt is at least 90 years old. You can see there are several places where the quilt is torn or has simply worn away. When my children were small, we used this as a cover on their beds. That was a long, long time before I ever became a quilter and knew the value of this quilt.

I received a couple of questions about the block used in this quilt. The block is a traditional Jacob's Ladder block, and I've drawn an outline around the block.

Here is my Electric Quilt drawing to show how the blocks are arranged.

There are 30 of these blocks in the drawing above. This block measures 12 inches finished.

I made the half square triangles from 5 inch squares that I'd previously cut. When you make half square triangles using this method you find the finished size and add 7/8". That would be 4 7/8", but since I already had 5 inch squares I used those and trimmed a tiny bit off.

There are lots of ways to make half square triangles, but I decided to use this method since I found this ruler/tool in a box in the closet. This is called the quick quarter, and comes in two lengths. I have the 8 inch.

This is pretty easy. Sew on the solid lines then cut on the dashed line.

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The half square triangles measure 4 1/2" unfinished, and the four patches are 2 1/2" squares or they could be strip pieced.

If you ever have questions or want an explanation of anything you see on my blog, please don't hesitate to write me: lakrug@comcast.net

I'm sure your Grandmother would be pleased to know her quilt wrapped your children (her Greats) in love while they were little. Now you love and care for it like the venerable old quilt it is. It's still lovely. Your new version is going to be great!

What a treasure to have your Gram's quilt! And it looks in great condition still!

Years ago, I was staying at a B&B up the coast in Maine, and the quilts on the beds were amazing! I asked the innkeeper about them, and she said they had been made by her Gram! I instantly told her to get them off the beds and into her own quarters, so they won't be ruined! They were all handquilted.....and beautifully made! She told me that two had been stained with wine by guests! Sheesh! I spent a few hours that weekend, telling her info about each quilt....the pattern name, pointing out quilting designs, etc., and told her how to make a label with the info, and tack it on each one, to preserve the history for her children.

I'm so glad you have your Gram's quilt, LuAnn! And thanks for sharing it!

What a treasure! I have a quilt from my grandmother but I'm not sure she made it. That side of the family was not long lived. I love the block you made with the variety of reds. A jacobs ladder quilt is on my to do list. Some day!

It really is wonderful that you have a quilt made by your grand'ma. I bet she'd be proud as punch to know her great grandchildren were snuggled under her quilt. You really can't ask for more than that can you....

I've been attracted to these red and white quilts forever, but that recent show really pushed my buttons...I've been considering making one. Thanks for showing this lovely family heirloom and breaking things down to reveal the block.

One of my favorite blocks, LuAnne. I'm going to link to this post on my "Friday Finds" this week. It's a regular feature of my blog where I share great tutorials I've seen on the Web with my readers. You get credited for the photo I use and the tutorial which I do not copy, simply link to.I hope this is okay with you but if you wish it removed, please contact me. Thanks for sharing.Marsha - QuilterinMotion